StrataLight selects iolon as supplier of widely tunable lasers
April 20, 2004 San Jose, CA--StrataLight Communications selected iolon as its supplier of widely tunable lasers for its OTS-4000 optical terminal subsystem. iolon began delivering widely tunable lasers to StrataLight in December, 2001; the current supply agreement extends through mid-2005.
The OTS-4000 is a 40-Gbit/sec DWDM transport platform that enables carriers to retrofit 40-Gbit/sec signals into existing 10 Gbit/sec DWDM networks. iolon's widely tunable laser, with its tuning range of over 40 nm, enables StrataLight's 40-Gbit/sec signals to be carried on any of 80 optical wavelengths. This provides carriers with a 40-Gbit/sec retrofit solution that has the flexibility to be mapped into any available optical channel within an existing network. Carriers utilize this flexibility to achieve rapid service provisioning and reduced inventory costs.
"Long distance transmission of 40-Gbit/sec signals requires laser sources with exceptional optical performance," said Terry Smith, chief executive and co-founder of StrataLight Communications. "We started working with iolon over two and a half years ago because it was the first to deliver a widely tunable laser that combined outstanding optical performance and high output power. During our successful field trials last year and as we prepare for field deployment later this year, iolon's field-proven track record of reliability and performance has been an important factor in StrataLight's value proposition. We are pleased to have iolon as our supplier for this critical element of our system."
"StrataLight's selection of iolon to provide this critical component for its industry-leading 40-Gbit/sec transport solution is further testament to the performance, reliability, and cost-effectiveness of iolon's widely tunable lasers," said John Clark, president, chief executive, and chairman of iolon. "StrataLight's approach of delivering customer value through cost-effective advanced transmission technology matches our own mission to provide value through superior performance and reliability without additional cost or complexity. We are pleased to have been selected to provide the advantages of wide tunability to StrataLight's OTS-4000 product family."
Based on a patented micro-external cavity design, iolon's widely tunable lasers deliver high output power and single mode purity and stability across the widest tuning range, according to iolon. Fully qualified to Telcordia requirements, iolon has been delivering these lasers in volume for nearly three years to telecommunications equipment manufacturers around the world. iolon's widely tunable lasers are network deployed, carrying live traffic in systems in both North America and Europe. Consistent quality and performance are ensured by an automated volume manufacturing process.
iolon's products are based on a proprietary technology platform utilizing sophisticated servo control loops, MEMS actuators, and micro optic assemblies to provide cost-effective, superior optical performance.
The Telcordia-qualified, high-power, full C- and L-band tunable lasers have been deployed in both telecom and CATV networks, while a swept frequency version has been adopted for test and measurement and sensing applications. iolon's newest product family covers the receiving end of optical networks and includes a line of widely tunable filters, receivers, and detectors It is based on the same platform as the tunable laser.
StrataLight Communications develops high capacity long-haul fiber transport subsystems sold as OEM products to optical networking equipment manufacturers and system integrators.